The charges brought by a Moscow court were related to her video address that prompted others to protest as well, not to boycott television broadcasts.
Ovsyannikova appeared on the set of the evening news programs of Channel One of Russian state television, chanting “Stop the war!” and denouncing government “propaganda” – a stunning moment of public protest as the Kremlin suppresses any criticism of the invasion of Ukraine.
Before breaking into the group of Channel One, Ovsyannikova recorded a video message in which she said that her father is Ukrainian and her mother is Russian. She called the war in Ukraine a “crime” and urged the Russian people to demonstrate in public.
“Unfortunately, I have been working on Channel One for recent years, working on Kremlin propaganda,” said Ovsyannikova. “And now I am very ashamed. I am ashamed that I allowed lies to be told on television. I am ashamed that I left the Russian people in a state of zombies.”
OVD-Info, a rights group that tracks protest activity and arrests in Russia, identified her as an editor and producer with the broadcaster and said she was in custody. Ovsyannikova’s Instagram account He also identifies her as an employee of Channel One.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Ovsiannikova’s actions as a “riot” and said the TV channel, not the Kremlin, was “dealing with this.”
Her brave act — protesting in Russia comes with great personal risks, especially as Moscow has tightened its propaganda machine regarding the war — has many leaders and international organizations concerned about her safety. News reports circulated that she was missing after her arrest. A prominent Russian lawyer, Sergei Badamchenshe shared the first photo of Ovsyanikova since her detention, in which she can be seen with lawyer Anton Gachinsky.
She also spoke briefly to reporters after her court appearance.
Ovsyannikova’s first comment since her arrest. She said she did not sleep for two days and was interrogated for 14 hours. Promises to answer more questions tomorrow. Video from Sota pic.twitter.com/h13rBpBHNm
– Mary Ilyushina (@maryilyushina) March 15, 2022
Spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office Ravina Shamdasani, Tell Journalists in Geneva said the Russian authorities must ensure that Ovsyannikova does not face “any reprisals for exercising her right to freedom of expression”.
James Cleverly, Minister of State in the British Foreign Office, He told the BBC On Tuesday, the country was “concerned” for its safety.
“These acts of defiance within Russia … are very important,” he said. “It shows a great deal of courage for these individuals in protesting what is, as we know, a repressive authoritarian state.”
“It is really important that the Russian people understand what is going on in their name,” Cleverly said.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is in ongoing talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of negotiations to end the war, said he would bring up Ovsiannikova’s issue during his next conversation with the Russian leader. We will begin diplomatic efforts with a view to the show [her] Macron said: According to France24.
European Commission also He said Tuesday, she praised the “persistent courage” of Russian citizens who oppose the Ukraine war. Spokesman Daniel Ferry said more than 14,000 Russian citizens have been detained in more than 140 cities across Russia for protesting the war in Ukraine.
Ferry praised Ovsyannikova for her “courageous moral stance” and said she “disappeared” for daring to object.
He added that “the state apparatus continues to suppress the internal opposition, against the peace-loving local population, depriving them of their basic rights and freedoms.” Her personal protest was hailed around the world as a serious act of resistance.
Kira Yarmesh, spokeswoman for imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, praised and praised Ovsyannikova shares the video on her Twitter account. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky personally thanked “the woman who entered the studio of Channel One” in one of the nation’s regular video updates, which was sent to Telegram.
Thousands of anti-conflict protesters have been arrested in Russia, according to OVD-Info, which says the invasion and its aftermath have “irreversibly changed” Russian society.
Jennifer Hassan and Ammar Nazir contributed to this report.
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